Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

With an estimated 13 million American adults and children afflicted, mental health disorders are a leading cause of disability in the United States often leading to premature death (NIMH Strategic Plan 2008). In addition, with the worldwide aging of the population, it is expected that the prevalence of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders will increase every 20 years (World Health Organization). Better tools to identify and treat those at risk and the development of novel therapies and approaches, which can alleviate suffering, are urgently needed.

Addressing this problem successfully requires harnessing the intellectual potential of all citizens of the United States. However currently, individuals from underrepresented (UR) backgrounds make up only 2-4% of the neurological sciences professional workforce, disproportionately lower than their 12-16% representation in the overall USA population (Hall, ZW Achieving a diverse neuroscience workforce. NINDS Report 2010).

Purpose of JHIBS

The purpose of the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) program is to contribute in a significant way to feeding the neurological sciences pipeline. Seventy-five percent of college students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) decide in high school to study and pursue careers in these areas. Hence, JHIBS targets students at this early stage by providing a hands-on mentored research experience. We believe that by providing the right pre-college exposure, together with long-term mentoring, educational resources, and encouragement, bright, intelligent, academically capable UR students can successfully pursue the pathway to a profession as a researcher and/or clinician scientist at the doctoral level.

High school interns from schools across Baltimore City and the surrounding metropolitan area give oral presentations on their mentored research projects conducted at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine campus over a period of 8-weeks during the summer.

Who is Eligible?

Select students from Baltimore City and metropolitan area schools who have an interest in a career in science and/or medicine are recommended by officials at their schools for the internship which is held at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus. Over an 8-week period, interns will have the opportunity to participate in a research project guided by faculty, staff and student mentors, as well as participate in clinical rotations within neurology.

This program serves mainly students located in the Baltimore metropolitan area and does not provide housing or pay for transportation or parking. Interns are paid a stipend of $10.00/hour.

Activities Include:

Meetings with Hopkins faculty - mentor/mentee selection

Attendance at scientific seminars

Weekly educational and professional development sessions

Preparation of a final oral or poster presentation describing his or her work

Student nominations are being accepted for the 2018 internship and are due by Thursday, March 1, 2018.

This summer internship program is in its 11th year and begins June 18, 2018 and will last for 8 weeks.

Please note: No extended absences are allowed during the 8-week program.